Frequently Asked Questions: Borrowing

Frequently Asked Questions

Each WCCLS member library has individual policies regarding applying for a library card. Contact your local WCCLS library for details. In general, you will need a piece of identification showing that you reside in Washington County.

We have application forms that you can print, complete, and bring to your local WCCLS library with your identification. Click on the links below to access the application forms. You could also fill out the form at your local library.

What can I borrow from Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) libraries?

Your Washington County Cooperative Library Services library card is your key to over one million items ranging from books, magazines, music and spoken tapes and CDs, videos, DVDs, non-English language materials, story kits, passes to local cultural destinations, and more! In addition to all of that, cardholders may also access a variety of indexes and full-text magazines, newspapers, and reference sources online.

How much can I borrow from WCCLS libraries?

Generally, cardholders may borrow up to 100 items at a time. However, certain types of materials have special limits. For example, cardholders may only borrow up to 50 DVDs, 25 Blu-rays, and 10 electronic games at any given time.

What is the loan period?

Most books and audio items are loaned for 21 days, most DVDs for 7 days, and Cultural Passes for 24 hours. Other special materials may have different loan periods.

Refer to your check out receipt provided when you check out materials for a list of each item and when it is due. If you don't have your receipt, you may also review a list of all items checked out on your card and when they are due:

By phone: Call 503-846-3245 any time, 24 hours a day. Be prepared to enter your library barcode and password when prompted.

Online: Visit any time, 24-hours a day through the WCCLS catalog. Click on Patron Account and enter your barcode number and password to access your information.

There are specific conditions that will prevent you from renewing your materials online:

Renewals of long overdue items are not allowed.

In general, you cannot renew the same item more than four times.

An item with active requests from other patrons cannot be renewed.

Patrons in collections may not renew items.

Both the online catalog and telephone renewal line provide specific messages related to renewals.

Example: If you try to renew an overdue item, the library catalog will inform you that the item is overdue and will prompt you to OK the overdue charges to your account or cancel the renewal.

Who is eligible for a Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) library card?

Live in the metro Portland area?

Residents of some neighboring counties may also obtain a WCCLS library card without a fee through the Metropolitan Interlibrary Exchange (MIX) agreement. This agreement says that if you work in one county, shop in another, and go home to yet another, you can use any library that you find convenient. Residents who live in Multnomah County, Clackamas County (excluding Johnson City), or Hood River county in Oregon, or reside in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District or the City of Camas in Washington, may obtain a WCCLS library card without paying a non-resident fee. And Washington County residents, in turn, are eligible to obtain library cards without fee at any of the public libraries in the systems listed above.

If you reside outside of Washington County or any of the MIX jurisdictions listed above, and your local library does not participate in the Oregon Passport Program, you may obtain a WCCLS non-resident library card for an annual fee of $110. This entitles you to use the collections and services of any WCCLS member library. (WCCLS non-resident cardholders are not included in the MIX agreement).

Can I renew my items?

Cardholders in good standing may renew most items for four additional loan periods if other library users are not waiting to use the materials:

By phone: Call 503-846-3245 any time, 24 hours a day to renew your items. Be prepared to enter your library barcode number and password when prompted.

Online: Visit any time, 24 hours a day through WCCLS catalog. Click on Patron Account and enter your barcode number and password to access your information. View a list of Items Out and select the items you wish to renew.

Most items have a fine of 15 cents per day for each day that the item is overdue up to a maximum fine of $5.00.

Videos, DVDs and most 7-day loan materials have a fine of $1.00 per day for each day that the item is overdue up to a maximum fine of $5.00.

Special items may have different fines applied. Cultural Passes, for example, have a fine of $10.00 per day for each day that the pass is overdue up to a maximum of $30.00. Ask your library if you have a question about a special item.

Cardholders will be charged replacement costs and a processing fee for lost items, and may also be charged for damages to items borrowed from the library.

Borrowing privileges are suspended on accounts with $10.00 or more outstanding in fines and fees.

WCCLS notifies cardholders by e-mail, phone or mail when items are overdue. Bills are sent when items are overdue for 25 days. Be sure to pay fines and return materials promptly to avoid referral to a collection agency. Cardholders may also monitor their account:

By phone: Call 503-846-3245 any time, 24-hours a day. Be prepared to enter your library barcode and password when prompted.

Online: Visit any time, 24 hours a day through WCCLS. Click on Patron Account from the homepage and enter your barcode number and password to access your information.

If you are a resident of Washington County, your WCCLS library card gives you free access to libraries across the Portland metro area, via the MIX agreement (click here for details).

Your WCCLS library card also enables you to get a free library card at any Oregon libraries that participate in the Oregon Passport Program. Find a list of participating libraries here. To get a card at a participating Oregon Passport library, simply show your WCCLS library card, and whatever identification the library requires to get a card at their library. This is usually photo ID with a proof of address.

Checkout limits, loan periods, etc. vary, and are determined by each Passport library.